Hyundai Kona vs Lexus TX

The 2026 Hyundai Kona was offered in four trim levels: SE, SEL Sport, SEL Premium, and Limited, with prices ranging from $27,100 to $34,135, including a $1,600 destination charge. The Kona's design was polarizing, with its bold styling and distinctive wheel designs. The Limited trim, in particular, stood out with its Neoteric Yellow paint and an as-tested price of $36,375, which was on the higher end for a small SUV. Despite its divisive appearance, the Kona impressed with its quality and attention to detail, featuring H-Tex artificial leather and a spacious interior that comfortably accommodated four adults. The vehicle's technology was also noteworthy, with widescreen digital instrumentation and a user-friendly infotainment system that combined digital sophistication with traditional analog controls.

In contrast, the 2026 Lexus TX was available in various trims depending on the powertrain, including the TX 350, 500h hybrid, and 550h+ plug-in hybrid. The 550h+ featured a standard panoramic glass roof and 22-inch wheels, enhancing its visual appeal. The TX retained a large grille and sharp bi-LED headlights, with rear LED lighting spanning the vehicle's width. Inside, the TX offered a choice of interior colors, with the PHEV adding a dark brown option called Peppercorn. While the cabin featured ambient lighting and suede trim, the overall material quality fell short of luxury standards, with basic plastics present. The redesigned door handles were a unique touch, but some might have preferred more attention to detail elsewhere in the cabin.

The 2026 Hyundai Kona offered two engine options. The base engine, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder, produced 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). However, for those seeking more power, the SEL Premium and Limited trims featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 190 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a more satisfying eight-speed automatic transmission. The turbocharged engine provided better acceleration and a more engaging driving experience. The Kona's AWD option improved ride quality with a multi-link rear suspension, while the FWD version used a torsion-beam design. Fuel economy for the turbocharged engine ranged from 26 to 28 mpg, with AWD producing the lower figure. Despite its power, the Kona's ride and handling were not without flaws, with suspension isolation issues and brake performance concerns.

The 2026 Lexus TX, particularly the 550h+ plug-in hybrid, offered impressive performance with its 3.5-liter V6 and hybrid system generating 404 horsepower. The TX provided multiple drive options, including electric-only, hybrid, and gas-only modes, making it versatile for various driving scenarios. The TX's ride was smooth and quiet, with a suspension that absorbed bumps and potholes effectively. The AWD system allowed power distribution between the front and rear wheels, enhancing traction on slippery surfaces. The TX's adaptive cruise control worked well, although it was occasionally slow to respond in stop-and-go traffic. Overall, the TX delivered a comfortable and refined driving experience, ideal for long road trips.

The 2026 Hyundai Kona excelled in practicality, offering more interior room and cargo space than many of its rivals. The Limited trim featured interior upgrades such as ambient lighting, H-Tex artificial leather, and heated and ventilated front seats. The Kona's interior was spacious, with a commanding driving position and ample storage options. The rear seats provided satisfactory comfort, and the smart hands-free power liftgate added convenience. The Kona offered 25.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 63.7 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2026 Lexus TX provided standard luxury features, including multi-zone climate control, heated and cooled front seats, and heated second-row seats. The third row was spacious, accommodating full-sized adults comfortably. The second-row captain's chairs offered easy access to the third row, although folding them flat required some effort. The front seats were roomy but lacked thigh support. The TX's cargo space was generous, with 20.2 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 97 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The TX could tow up to 5,000 pounds, adding to its versatility.

The 2026 Hyundai Kona featured a widescreen digital display, with the Limited trim offering two 12.3-inch screens. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a lifetime complimentary subscription to Bluelink+ connected services. The Kona's digital key technology and Hyundai Pay system added convenience. The infotainment system was intuitive, with a responsive digital voice assistant. The Kona also included a Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system and advanced parking features like a surround-view camera system and Remote Smart Parking Assist.

The 2026 Lexus TX's technology was a mixed bag. The 14-inch touchscreen was user-friendly, but some features lacked polish. The steering wheel controls were confusing, and the infotainment system occasionally switched from satellite radio to Apple CarPlay unexpectedly. Smartphone connectivity was essential, as in-dash navigation required a subscription. The TX offered a clear backup camera with a bird’s-eye view and an Advanced Park system for automated parking. The rear-camera mirror provided an unobstructed view, and the TX featured multiple USB ports and wireless charging options.

The 2026 Hyundai Kona boasted an impressive array of standard driver assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and more. The Kona also featured a rear occupant warning system and a safe exit warning system. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the Kona its highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating, while the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave it a four-star overall rating.

The 2026 Lexus TX came equipped with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which included forward collision warning, lane centering, and traffic sign recognition. The adaptive cruise control worked well, although it was occasionally slow to respond. The NHTSA had not released safety ratings for the 550h+, but the TX 350 and 500h received five-star ratings. The IIHS gave the TX an "Acceptable" rating for the small overlap front crash test on the driver’s side and a "Good" rating for the passenger’s side.